August 16th Event Report

One of the best “series” in Louisiana autocross is the CENLA night series.  It’s a great event because it allows you to take a more leisurely approach to preparing for the event – you can wake up late, take a nice drive to Baton Rouge, prepare your car in the relatively cool late-afternoon, enjoy a fantastic event, and drive home under the stars.  The August event was no different.  CENLA did the usual outstanding job of putting together a very organized event with almost military precision (helps when you have Greg Wiley (ex-Navy) running things).  The course, while a hybrid of the Divisional course, was different enough to make it interesting and a challenge to even the drivers who had attended the divisional event.  

  The event started off with a light drizzle, barely affecting only the first two runs of the first heat.  Once it stopped the course was dry and FAST.  The first heat saw 50 second and faster runs Ryan Pope (co-driving Bill Sims Alfa) with a 50.38 and Robert Istre in his supercharged Miata putting down a 50.29.  Other Delta notables were Bill Simms with a 51.9 and Kenneth Durapau with a 52.56.  Fastest time of the heat went to Darren Darby with a 48.997.

  The second heat, while blessed with 5 dry runs, was also cursed with cursed with 2-3 runs in the dark of night.  This didn’t hinder Kerry Coughlin and Chris Hebert co-driving the 94 Miata though.  Kerry put down the fastest time of the day (48.79) and top PAX run during heat two.  Chris Hebert was right on his tail with a 49.08, good enough for second in PAX and third overall fastest time.  Greg Wiley took fourth in PAX with a 53.11.  

  Rounding out the top ten in PAX was James Shaw (5), Ryan Pope (6), Brandon Travasos (7), Lance Fitzhenry (8), Robert Istre (9), and Andrew Charters (10).  

  This was the last night event of the year and the last joint CENLA/DELTA summer event.  Thanks to CENLA for hosting the DELTA drivers and putting on another great event!